Blackhawks Daily: Bedard, Makar, & Divisional Destiny

With the Colorado Avalanche in town to take on the Chicago Blackhawks, it was another chance to catch two generational talents going against one another when Cale Makar and Connor Bedard took the ice in completely different places with two teams at the polar extreme of relevance. The Avs are en route to the playoffs, a chance to challenge again for the Stanley Cup.

The Blackhawks? They haven’t even reached 16 wins–the magic number to win a Stanley Cup. But the Bedard-Makar matchup didn’t have much from either generational star other than a few moments here and there. That’s alright–they’re both destined to tussle over divisional battles one day that may be the path leading to Stanley Cup glory.

The Avs, just seven seasons ago, were in the same rock bottom spot the Blackhawks are now. They snagged Makar fourth overall, failing to win the draft. Pieces were in place to rise out of the ashes and the rest took care of itself. The Blackhawks are the reverse order, winning the lottery, drafting Bedard, and going through the rock bottom phase this season.

Talent is arriving but both teams will be butting heads. The Avalanche merely are looking at what move to make next. The Blackhawks are looking to see if they’ll hit the lottery jackpot again in May.

Connor Bedard and Cale Makar are destined to take one another on in more meaningful divisional games. But for now, 5-0 will have to do.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Blackhawks Locker Room Chatter hears from Reese Johnson, Jarred Tinordi, and head coach Luke Richardson on overcoming the frustration creeping in after a five-game losing streak and a 5-0 loss
• The Blackhawks fell to the Colorado Avalanche 5-0 in a tough game where not much went Chicago’s way
• Blackhawks prospect scouting looks at Ivan Demidov, who could be quite the pickup if Chicago doesn’t pick first in draft.

Hockey Now Network

• Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins and Jake DeBrusk talks have hit a snag–or at least a gap according to Cam Neely
• Calgary Hockey Now: Want a better picture of the type of GM the Calgary Flames‘ Craig Conroy is? Look no further than the Chris Tanev deal
• Detroit Hockey Now: The Detroit Red Wings are flush with prospects waiting to break in as the Wings continue their upward swing. One of those prospects, Simon Edvinsson, could be a force to reckon with once room is made.
• NYIHockeyNow: How do you get more firepower? The New York Islanders put their big guns together and saw immediate results.
• Philly Hockey Now: The latest  Philadelphia Flyers  notebook from Jon Bailey looks at the balance John Tortorella is applying to keep the Flyers rolling.

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